Thursday, the World Bank's Board of Directors approved a US$30 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA), the fund for the poorest countries, to improve learning and enrollment of students in the four departments of Southern Haiti most affected by the recent hurricane.

"This project is focusing on the Government's priorities to resume schooling for the children and families affected by Hurricane Matthew, and improve quality of teaching and learning, so children are better equipped for life and can fulfil their full potential," said Jean Beauvois Dorsonne, Minister of National Education.

"In the aftermath of Matthew, many children are out of school and many schools continue to be used as temporary shelters," said Mary Barton- Dock, World Bank Special Envoy to Haiti. "The aim is to reallocate resources from the Education for All – Phase II project, to scale up school feeding, rehabilitate schools, and help the Ministry of Education restore access and improve the quality of education for the children most in need."

Specifically, the project will :

• Finance school feeding in targeted schools, including the distribution of a breakfast snack and a hot lunch every day, as well as the delivery of vitamin A, deworming, water purification kits, and hygiene training;

• Support school enrollment through the provision of community education grants, school grants, and tuition waivers for about 50,000 children enrolled in selected public and private primary schools;

• Rehabilitate or build classrooms in 75 primary schools;

• Train teachers and school directors and purchase school supplies for at least 100 public schools;

• Develop standards to improve schooling performance, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation at central and local levels.

This six year project is a US$30 million grant, and will be implemented by the Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (MENFP).

In addition, a request for additional financing is put forward to the IDA Crisis Response Window to help with the medium and long-term recovery.

HL/ HaitiLibre